How can I make my Labrador more protective?
Where I live, I need a protective dog. I recently got assaulted by an unknown man. I got strangled, and my 11-month-old Labrador did nothing as this when on. How can I make him more protective?
Answers and Views:
Answer by dartass224
First of all, a Labrador isn't going to protect you. Labradors were never bred to be protective or aggressive, and even breeds that were don't usually because they aren't bred for it anymore. If he does make a move, its usually going to be because he is scared wants to drive the threat back. He is only protecting himself and will never protect you. True protection trained dogs need two things: the genetics and the help of a specialized PP trainer to bring out the dog's fight drive.
VERY VERY VERY few dogs even bred for PP have fight drive today, most dogs just act on defense, which will get you nowhere, if your lab even has a forward defense drive in him. For the record, you can go and get 50 german shepherd dogs, but if none of them have the correct genetics for the temperament, you won't get anything more then a few fear biters, who will probably run in the other direction.
Furthermore, if you need protection, get a gun, don't count on a dog to do it for you.
Answer by lab owner
I strongly disagree, labs can be very protective if brought up right. I had a yellow lab female who would not let anyone near my house or my children without them knowing she was there. Any knock at the door or a noise that didn't sound right she was there but was always gentle and nice to everyone she had met before. She was protective of me then when my children came along I saw a big change and she became more protective. The kids could do absolutely anything to her pull her ears lay on her my oldest son would get on her back and try to ride her and she would just look at me like are they done yet but when there was a problem or one of them yelled in the backyard and we were in the front she was there first. So for all you to say labs aren't protective your wrong. My lab sleeps in my bed or one of my children's bed every night.
One thing I do agree with and its the easiest thing is to get them to bark at the sound of someone knocking on the door and all I did was when someone knocks, make sure your dog is with you and ask the dog " who is it or who's at the door" and when they bark give them a treat and applaud them and sooner than later they will just do it naturally.
Hope this little bit helps but they do need to have all trust in you before they will do for you.
Don't miss:
- How Can I Train My Labrador Into a Guard Dog?
- 7 Best Guard Dogs for a Young Woman in an Apartment
- Should we keep our Labrador Outside for the Winter?
Answer by SpazadorMama
I have an 11-month-old black lab and she is the working type, anyway I sleep with my window open and at ANY noise she has her head out the window growling and barking. She is also my truck dog, she goes EVERYWHERE with me, literally EVERYWHERE. No privacy at all of any kind. She is always here with me. She does not allow ANYONE to approach my truck. My husband put on a clown mask once and as soon as she saw him she got into a fighting stance and he quickly pulled the mask off because we both knew an attack was about to happen. Yet she is gentle with the baby and ALL the children she encounters. An amazing breed for sure!
Answer by sarah m
I have a lab, and she is protective plus she got one hell a deep bark the thing is if you get them to be protective of you they get anxiety when your not with them believe me it not good but if you wanna go ahead with it you have to spend all your time with him
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Nattee says
labs (like golden retrievers), are friendly and playful. they are not guard dogs. if you want a protective dog, get a german shepherd.
♥ DogsGoneCra says
Labrador retrievers are usually very people friendly dogs so they aren't really the kind of dogs you get for protection. I have a dog that is being trained in protection by professionals and i can't let anyone on the streets pet her because she is "unpredictable" with strangers since she is being trained to protect and she could take certain movements from strangers as a threat. It's a lot of responsibility keeping a dog trained in protection. Do you really want your dog getting hurt by someone? because this is what will happen if he tries to protect you and these people have a gun,knife,etc…. I always carry mace and a pocket knife with me when i am out walking even with my dog that is trained in protection because if my dog is doing what she is trained to do and this guy have a gun or knife she could be seriously hurt.Get a gun or mace if you need protection.
The Wizard. says
You can do this but I do not recommend it.You can make your dog aggressive,but he might attack someone quite innocently.You can't expect your dog to know what to do.If you want a proterctive dog,you have the wrong breed.Get yourself a Fox Terrier.Small maybe but very protective.
Corgi Mom says
Some dogs just aren't the protective type. Don't try to turn him into something he's not.
I'm sorry this happened to you, but don't resent him.
bigbaddermofo says
It is not generally in their behavior to be protective. Get yourself a German Shepherd if you have the area for one. They need to run everyday. They have a lot of energy that has to be run off, or they will go bonkers. If you don't have any room for them to run, then look more towards a Boxer or Doberman. Stay away from Rottweilers and Pit Bulls. They have been over bred a lot, especially in the Urban areas.
flealand87 says
You picked the wrong breed, labs are not attached to just one person with there emotions they love everybody as long as they are getting attention. You need a dog that attaches itself to just one owner with its attention and it is more than likely to be extremly protective and territorial with you against others